A plan to distribute reserved lands in the Kottawa-Kombala Reserve Forest, one of the most unique lowland rainforests in the Galle District, is reportedly being executed by land smugglers using false information provided to the Galle District Forest Officer and Member of Parliament, Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, who is also the Chairman of the COPE Committee.
The MP, citing misleading claims that people have been residing in the Kottawa-Kombala Reserve Forest for over a hundred years, argues that they should be granted land ownership. He further claims that this decision is based on a complaint received by the Regional Coordination Committee and assures that justice will be served for those residing in the reserve in the future. As part of this process, a census of land use within the reserve has already been initiated.
The Galle District Forest Officer of the Forest Conservation Department has also stated that all lands currently in use within the reserve will be granted to the occupants, citing a precedent set during his tenure in the Eastern Province. However, concerns have been raised as more than 50 individuals have submitted false documents claiming residency in the reserve, leading to allegations of fraudulent land acquisition.
Confirmation That There Are No Permanent Residents
Studies conducted to verify these claims have confirmed that there are no permanent residents in the Kottawa-Kombala Reserve. Instead, several individuals living near the reserve have been identified as clearing forest land illegally to expand cinnamon and tea plantations.
Following the announcement by MP Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera and the Galle District Forest Officer regarding the distribution of land, encroachers have been submitting false documents in an attempt to secure ownership through fraudulent means. Many of these claims involve land plots listed under the names of relatives, further complicating the legal and environmental impact of the situation.
Previously, the number of individuals engaged in unauthorized cultivation was estimated at 10. However, the latest study conducted by the Akmeemana Divisional Secretariat reveals that 50 individuals have now submitted false information in an effort to obtain land rights.
Illegal Cultivation and Traditional Paddy Farming in the Reserve
Several individuals from Kadurugashena, Kaluwala, Beddegedara, Hiriyamal Kumbura, Hiyare East, Mayakaduwa, Garawala, and Bedipita, which are villages surrounding the Kottawa-Kombala Reserve Forest, have reportedly illegally occupied reserve land, cleared forests, and expanded cinnamon and tea plantations. Research indicates that the total area of illegal cultivation in the reserve now extends to 50 acres.
Additionally, seven paddy cultivation areas have been identified within the forest. These include traditional paddy lands such as Punchi Welideniya, Bimbate Deniya, Weli Deniya, Naya Adu Deniya, Kadiya Deniya, Punchi Deniya, and Gona Kola Deniya. Between 1970 and 1977, lands in this region were also used to cultivate betel, milk yam, ginger, cassava, sesame, and millet.
Some areas, such as 2.5 acres of Punchi Weli Land, 7.5 acres of Bimbate Land, and 4 acres of Naya Adu Land, have been surveyed and demarcated for traditional cultivation under land permits. However, other areas—such as Weli Land, Punchi Weli Land, Kadiya Land, and Gona Kola Land (each measuring one acre)—remain uncategorized but have been cultivated traditionally.
Beyond these historical farming activities, all newly established cinnamon and tea plantations have been developed through illegal forest clearance.
Large-Scale Land Encroachment in the Reserve
By 2011, approximately 30 acres of forest had already been illegally cleared in the Kottawa-Kombala Forest. Between 2015 and 2017, the rate of deforestation and illegal expansion of plantations increased significantly.
One key individual behind these activities is Mahadurage Sarath Kumara, also known as “Kiri”, who resides at the edge of the reserve. He has cleared 30 acres of forest in the Mutthalihena, Kadurugashena, and Hiare areas to expand cinnamon plantations. Furthermore, he has begun constructing permanent buildings inside the reserve to store harvested cinnamon. Reports suggest that he plans to expand cultivation to 50 acres in the near future.
Allegations of Forest Department Support in Encroachment
Since 2011, reports indicate that some officials of the Forest Department have facilitated illegal deforestation by accepting bribes from land encroachers. Instead of taking legal action to reclaim land, these officials have enabled encroachers to retain illegally acquired land through legal loopholes.
This was reportedly done by filinag cases selectively—not to reclaim land, but rather to protect unauthorized cultivators. As a result, deforestation and illegal cultivation in the reserve have increased rapidly.
Environmental Impact and Threat to Biodiversity
The Kottawa-Kombala Reserve Forest is home to many rare and endemic species facing the threat of extinction. Studies conducted by the Galle Wildlife Conservation Society confirm the presence of:
- Rare endemic snakes: Aspidura guentheri, Dendrelaphis wickrorum, Lycodon carinatus, Rhabdophis ceylonensis
- Rare endemic amphibians: Adenomus kelaartii, Uperodon nagaoi, Pseudophilautus conniffae, Pseudophilautus folicola, Pseudophilautus mittermeieri, Pseudophilautus singu, Pseudophilautus stictomerus
- Endemic fish species: Rasbora wilpita, Rasboroides vaterifloris, Rohanella titteya
- Endangered freshwater crabs: Ceylonthelphusa kandambyi, Pastilla ruhuna, Oziotelphusa ceylonensis, Mahatha ornatipes
- Rare endemic birds: Green-billed Coucal, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Spot-winged Thrush, Scaly Thrush, Scimitar Babbler, Legge’s Flowerpecker
Legal Violations and Forest Conservation Ordinance
The Kottawa-Kombala Conservation Forest covers 546 hectares across the Yakkalamulla, Akmeemana, Imaduwa, and Habaraduwa Divisional Secretariats and was designated under Section 3A.(1) of the Forest Conservation Ordinance (Amended by Act No. 65 of 2009).
Under this law:
- Land clearing, cultivation, construction, and road development are illegal.
- Violators face up to 7 years of imprisonment and fines between LKR 20,000 and LKR 200,000.
- Individuals aiding and abetting illegal encroachment are subject to the same penalties.
Despite these legal protections, Forest Department officials have failed to uphold conservation laws, raising concerns over their role in facilitating illegal activities.
Given the evidence of widespread illegal land occupation and deforestation, conservationists and local residents are urging the government to enforce the law, prevent fraudulent land acquisitions, and hold those responsible accountable.
The ongoing land distribution efforts, if unregulated, could permanently damage the Kottawa-Kombala ecosystem, erode public trust in conservation laws, and set a dangerous precedent for future forest reserves in Sri Lanka.
